Atrazine and Alachlor Inputs to Surface and Ground Waters in Irrigated Corn Cultivation Areas of Castilla-Leon Region, Spain

The inputs of atrazine and alachlor herbicides to surface and ground waters from irrigated areas dedicated to corn cultivation in the Castilla-León (C-L) region (Spain) as related to the application of both herbicides were studied. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used for monitoring the atrazine and alachlor concentrations in 98 water samples taken from these areas. Seventy-nine of the samples were of ground waters and 19 were of surface waters. The concentration ranges of the herbicides detected in the study period (October 1997–October 1998) were 0.04–25.3 g L^–1 in the surface waters and 0.04–3.45 g L^–1 in the ground waters for atrazine, and 0.06–31.9 g L^–1 in the surface waters and 0.05–4.85 g L^–1 in the ground waters in the case of alachlor. The highly significant correlation observed between the concentrations of both herbicides in the surface waters (r = 0.89, p < 0.001) pointed to a parallel transport of atrazine and alachlor to these waters. A study was made of the temporal evolution of the concentrations of both herbicides, and it was found a maximum recharge of atrazine in the ground waters for April 1998 and of alachlor in October 1997 and October 1998. The temporal evolution of the concentrations of both herbicides in surface waters was parallel. The highly significant correlations observed between atrazine concentrations determined by ELISA and by HPLC (r = 0.92, p < 0.001) and between alachlor concentrations also determined by both methods (r = 0.96, p < 0.001) confirmed the usefulness of ELISA for monitoring both herbicides in an elevated number of samples. Using HPLC, the presence in some waters of the alachlor ethanesulfonate (ESA) metabolite was found at a concentration range of 0.52–4.01 g L^–1. However the interference of ESA in the determination of alachlor by ELISA was negligible. The inputs of atrazine and alachlor to waters found in this study, especially the inputs to ground waters, could pose a risk for human health considering that some waters, though sporadically, are even used for human consumption.     

IMPACTS OF VISITORS ON SOIL AND VEGETATION OF THE RECREATIONAL AREA “NACIMIENTO DEL RÍO MUNDO” (CASTILLA-LA MANCHA, SPAIN)

This study examines the effects of recreational use on the soil and vegetation at a site of ecological importance (Nacimiento del Río Mundo, Albacete, Spain). The most visited sites showed increased soil compaction of approximately 50%, bare ground increase to 61 ± 10% and a decrease in richness (from 25 ± 2 to 15 ± 2 species), diversity (from 4.0 ± 0.1 to 2.7 ± 0.4) and stratification of plant species (from 80 ± 11 to 21 ± 4%). The most visited sites had 90% less plant species as compared to the least visited. Intense use was associated with the presence of nitrophilous plant and vegetal species with a morphology adapted to heavy trampling. The recreational areas showed a distribution pattern of impact radiating outwards from the most used and degraded point. At the most visited point, Los Chorros (the spring of the river), the impact radiated outwards for about 20 m. A pilot experiment examining the effects of one-year restriction to visitors for access to a formerly impacted area showed a plant cover increase by anthropic and not by native species of 57 percent units.     

Book reviews

Cost Benefit Analysis of Environmental Change

Per‐Olov Johansson

Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1993, 232 pp., £13.95

Computerised Environmental Modelling: A Practical Introduction using Excel

J. Hardisty, D. M. Taylor & S. E. Metcalfe

Chichester, Wiley, 1993, 204 pp., £14.95

Keeping Pace with Science and Engineering: Case Studies in Environmental Regulation

Washington DC, US National Academy of Engineering, 1993

World Without End: Economics, Environment and Sustainable Development

D. W. Pearce & J. J. Warford

Oxford University Press, New York, 1993, 440 pp., £35.95     

Mechanics Principle and Engineering Application of Split Layer and Bed Separation of Mining Overburden

<正>To control land surface subsidence caused the underground mineral exploitation and the catastrophic phenomena such as serious damage of buildings, waterbodies, cultivated lands, railways, bridges caused by land subsidence, bed separation grouting technology of overburden is put forward. To provide theoretical support for the technology, the characteristics and the mechanics mechanism of mining overburden from layer-split to formation of bed separation are studied. On the basis of elastic sheet board theory, calculation formula of rock sheet deflection is presented, and the mechanics criteria of the separation formation and the calculation formula of bed separation volume are set up. Finally, the applications and technics of bed separation grout technology of mining overburden to control land subsidence in china are introduced.     

城市生活垃圾管理及资源化

随着社会经济的发展和城市化进程加快，城市生活垃圾的产生量急剧增加。大中城市人均日垃圾产生量约1Kg，井以每年8％．10％的速度增长。至2005年底，生活垃圾清运量1．52亿t，垃圾的集中处理率约为51％。因此城市生活垃圾的处理问题．已成为城市环境保护一个需要迫切解决问题。解决中国城市生活垃圾问题的根本办法。一是建立有效的、环境友好型的城市生活垃圾管理体系，二是实现生活垃圾的资源化。建立有效的环境友好型的生活垃圾管理体系是解决城市生活垃圾问题的基础；生活垃圾的资源化是降低生活垃圾无害化成本，节约资源的根本出路。     

道路建设生态影响评价的方法

分析了中国目前道路建设的生态影响评价的现状及存在的主要问题，结合日本道路建设的生态影响评价程序与方法，提出了未来中国道路建设生态影响评价方法研究重点。     

职业安全健康管理体系在冶金建筑施工企业中的应用

通过对冶金建筑施工企业伤亡事故现状的分析，提出建立职业安全健康管理体系的意义和重要性，最后指出冶金建筑施工企业在建立职业安全健康管理体系时存在的问题及建议。     

飞机实验室气候试验风险识别及分析

目的 研究飞机实验室气候试验过程中风险的识别及分析问题.方法 根据飞机实验室气候试验流程,针对试验设计、试验准备、试验实施和试验确认等阶段进行风险识别和分析.结果 及结论识别并分析出实验室气候试验各阶段的风险,并在国内首次某民机实验室气候试验中得到应用.